WHO IS THE CONNECTED TEACHER?

Hello, my name is Simon McKenzie and I am the self-styled Connected Teacher. I was born in Hobart, Tasmania (Australia) in 1959; and so yes, I am now in my fifties. My primary and secondary education was completed in Catholic schools before attending the Tasmanian College of Advanced Education. I graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree, majoring in History and English Literature.

But for the occasional break, I have taught in a number of schools across Australia. From 1996 until mid-2014 I was part of the staff at Aquinas College on the Gold Coast, Queensland. During my years at Aquinas I spent time as a Year Level Coordinator, a Head of House and as Assistant Principal: Dean of Students.

In 2010 I returned full time to the classroom only to accept, in July of 2012, the newly created position of Learning Technologies Coordinator. Technology is my new obsession; and so, with iPad in hand, I have commenced a one man crusade to connect classrooms to the wider world. I am currently the eLearning Manager at Faith Lutheran College in the Barossa Valley, South Australia.

WHAT ARE MY INTERESTS? 

Having confessed my obsession with technology, I can now add the following to my list of interests …

Teaching, mentoring young teachers, cooking, reading, travelling overseas (with my Ancient History students), The Big Bang Theory, blogging (but you probably guessed that one), Music, Twitter, Australian Rules Football (Go Saints!) and the Barossa Valley (where I’ll retire eventually with my wife Jan).

…AND WHAT DO I BLOG ABOUT?

This is a reflective, professional blog where I take every opportunity to share my ideas and classroom experience. Some might find it an eclectic mix; technology, Web 2.0 tools, educational policy, connectedness, the future of classrooms, History … and indeed any “big” issue in schooling.

Thank you for visiting and I sincerely hope that you find what you’re looking for here. I welcome you questions, comments and suggestions.